World, Writing, Wealth discussion
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Can books become too much of a good thing?
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I have run across paid reviews but not paid beta readers. I don't think payment would encourage me to do more of it at this point. I am not the creative type. I try to be nice about it but when there are real obvious issues in a book, to tell the author such, I feel like I am stepping on their dream, their creation. The one thing to kerp on mind is how much time an author gives for it. Most of the time it's a couple of weeks but stuff happens and sometimes it is needed quickly.
Yes, I can see my typos now. On phone I can only see 2 lines of text and have no idea how to edit it after it posts.
Lizzie wrote: "I try to be nice about it but when there are real obvious issues in a book, to tell the author such, I feel like I am stepping on their dream, their creation. ..."It is a tough call to tell an author there are issues. I have had to do it a few times and some of them are OK with it. Others not so much. Normally if I have to have this kind of conversation I start with I have a a few thoughts, accept the or reject them at your choice.
Scout wrote: "Can I become a beta reader?"Be very careful for what you ask for. It is a job and not very fun most of the time. It is hard work and you do not get much out of it except maybe a good feeling.
As for books becoming too much of a good thing,my reading list has become like a series of pop up ads.When I finish one,there are ten more to be read.I skim and abandon a lot.As it is,the phrase life is short has taken on a whole new meaning these days.
Lizzie says there may be a group for grammar and spell checking. I think that's what I'd like to do. Can anyone point me to this group, or tell me how I can do this kind of thing for aspiring authors? I'm not looking for remuneration, just helping with proofreading for errors in grammar and spelling. Any guidance appreciated.
Scout wrote: "Lizzie says there may be a group for grammar and spell checking. I think that's what I'd like to do. Can anyone point me to this group, or tell me how I can do this kind of thing for aspiring autho..."Then it's copy-editing/proofreading indeed more than beta reading. I'd appreciate your help, when my latest manuscript is mature enough, if that's something you'd be willing to consider.
Here are a few groups that I'd bumped into, but I can't vouch how they are:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Scout wrote: "Lizzie says there may be a group for grammar and spell checking. I think that's what I'd like to do. Can anyone point me to this group, or tell me how I can do this kind of thing for aspiring autho..."There are times where I see the same error multiple times in the draft. At that point, I figure they don't know the rule and I comment on the applicable rule, which I first confirm elsewhere. I try to do it nicely but it does surprise me how writers do not know the proper punctuation of certain phrases or appropriate use of semicolons.
Nik, I'd like that. I don't have the ideas and the wherewithal to write a book, but I can contribute once the creative part is done. Editing / proofreading is my gig, and I'd enjoy being a part of the process. Just let me know. I'll check out the groups. Thanks
Scout wrote: ".... I don't have the ideas and the wherewithal to write a book ..."Don't be so sure :)
Scout wrote: ".... Editing / proofreading is my gig, and I'd enjoy being a part of the process. Just let me know. ..."
Thanks a lot for your willingness to take part! As soon as the draft is mature enough (hopefully soon), I'll forward it to you, so you can turn my English into a real one :)
Lizzie wrote: "I try to do it nicely but it does surprise me how writers do not know the proper punctuation of certain phrases or appropriate use of semicolons ..."Welcome to the world of self-publishing! That is why many readers here on GR express their frustration with reading self-published authors. Most of them rush to get their book published without taking the proper time to proofread and edit them. And no matter how careful an editor you are, when it is your own writing, sometimes you just can't see what would be easy for someone else to spot. And I don't just mean spelling and punctuation, but sentence construction, plot, dialogue...the whole shebang. My book would have been a much inferior product if not for the constructive critiques of my friends and coworkers.
Scout wrote: "Look forward to it, Nik :-)"I don't know if ARC readers do those corrections or just right a review upon release.
I have been both ARC and Beta reader, and I correct everything I read because I can't not do it.
It took me more than a year of writing, rewriting, having my four adult children proofreading, and polishing to produce what I believed to be a manuscript worthy of publication.During the publishing process, I learned that my ready to be published manuscript was actually not ready. Fortunately, a copy editor, conceptual editor, and layout design artist helped me to make it ready - for real this time.
Even after all of the time, effort, and resources expended, the novel was not a commercial success. After 5 years and 4 months of commercial availability, only 1,029 units were sold and I received $2,358.34 in royalties. However, I still consider the learning experience and final product to have been well worth it.
The odds against any novice author achieving commercial success within this extremely competitive field are great. However, some have. There is no reason why you might not eventually become one of them. I wish you success.
Jim wrote: "... $2,358.34 in royalties..."Many indie authors don't succeed to cover production and marketing costs, so in comparison having earnings is already quite an achievement
I thought you meant something else asking that question. Like if it could transform from goodness into a vice or bad habit. I do think you choose what to read and therfore choose your limits of information and perspectives. And maybe isolate yourself till you become a character yourself, like when you play a lot of the sims for example ^^ then it might not be wholesome
I read 2 to 3 books a month. Those who read 2 to 3 books a week, will probably challenge my claim to be an avid reader.I prefer reading to watching TV or listening to the radio. That said; when it comes to an opportunity to actually experience life or reading about it, I choose experience every time. There are just too many things to do and places to visit and so little time.
Jim wrote: "I read 2 to 3 books a month. Those who read 2 to 3 books a week, will probably challenge my claim to be an avid reader.I prefer reading to watching TV or listening to the radio. That said; when i..."
I would be one of those latter people, but I don't judge how much others read. I am on disability, so I have too much free time and it is split between TV and books. When I was working fulltime and had kids at home and Little League, etc., I watched a lot less TV, but still read probably 5 to 6 books a month.
Now, I have another 2 months of free KU, but I also signed up for the 6 months special of Starz (because I really wanted to watch Outlander).
I am an a avid reader. I don't have cable so I read for my entertainment. I read 7-10 books a month. Recently I have just needed a break from reading. I have read so many intense books I just can't pick another one. I pick a Rom Com to help me through. But I just got HBO Max. I decided to watch movies to give me a break that I seem to need at the moment. I had Netflix but doing sounded good to me. I think I need to watch some movies to give me a much needed break. Reading is never to much for a good thing but we all need to chill out and have that break!
Christine wrote: "I am an a avid reader. I don't have cable so I read for my entertainment. I read 7-10 books a month. Recently I have just needed a break from reading. I have read so many intense books I just can't..."I agree. I think too it is harder to concentrate when the world has gone crazy. Watching TV, for me, takes less mental work. The hardest part is deciding what to watch, as I have too many options between Prime, Netflix, and Hulu, before I added the 6-month special offered by Starz. Before that, I had done the 30 days of CBS Access but I knew I just wanted to watch Discovery, Picard, and episodes from Criminal Minds and Salvation that hadn't made it to the other services. I can fall asleep searching for something to watch on TV, but I don't fall asleep reading.
Getting back to where everyone was discussing not finishing books. I have read a few that I just could not get through. Normally it is not because of mistakes, but more that the story is doing nothing for me. I will not struggle through a book unless it is by one of my main authors that I like then I will "trudge through the swamp" to the end. Which actually just happened to me a week or so ago as I love the author as I have lots of her books, but the story fell flat. I didn't give up on the book though as I thought it would get better the closer I got to the end - well it didn't get better so I gave it two stars.
It is disappointing when a book seems like it will be nice to read and we get our hopes up to have them dashed down when it is not what we expected. Most of my dnf books are just books that didn't not go in the direction I expected and they become unreadable. If I read more than 10 to 12 chapters and the story hasn't grabbed me, I will end up not finishing it.
I use to feel bad about not finishing a book, but there are millions of other books out there waiting so my thoughts are "why" struggle with a book when there are tons more waiting to be read in the wings.
old habits, I think, is why. Growing up with limitations on availability of books, I read every page. Now that we have unlimited access in multiple formats, it makes sense to set it aside and grab another to read. But, I have difficulty doing so.
I'm with you, Nik. Why finish a book when it hasn't given you any motivation to keep reading in the first 100 pages? I used to do the "I have to finish this book" thing. I think that came from my dad, who always insisted that I finish what I started. I'm over that. If I'd been allowed to quit piano lessons (I have no musical bones), I would have had the opportunity to explore other things I might have been good at. Hanging on when something isn't working for you is a waste of time and energy.
Being an avid reader and an English teacher, I'm sure you can be amongst the best. There are beta readers groups here on GR, where the matching btw authors and b. readers happen. Don't know whether it's allowed/discouraged/encouraged here, but some, I think do it, for remuneration